Silica-bonded apatite scaffolds from calcite-filled preceramic polymers. Issue 13 (October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fiocco, L.; Michielsen, B.; Bernardo, E.
• Is Part Of: Journal of the European Ceramic Society. Volume 36:Issue 13(2016:)
• Page Start: 3211
• Page End: 3218
• Publication Date: 2016-10
• Subjects: Preceramic polymers -- Bioceramics -- Carbonate apatite -- Eggshell waste; Ceramic materials -- Periodicals; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Matériaux céramiques -- Périodiques; Composites -- Périodiques; Ceramic materials; Composite materials; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 666.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2016.05.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0955-2219

Abstract

Abstract: Silica-bonded apatite ceramics were successfully fabricated starting from preceramic polymers, in the form of silicone resins, incorporating powdered calcite (CaCO3 ). Silicone-calcite slurries were used for infiltrating sacrificial reticulated PLA scaffolds obtained by direct 3D printing. After cross-linking the mixture at room temperature, the samples were thermally treated at 350 °C to burn out the PLA, thus obtaining the desired scaffolds by negative replica. The samples were later ceramized at 600 °C, avoiding the decomposition of CaCO3 . A further treatment was applied to convert calcite into apatite (Ap), by immersion of samples in a phosphatizing bath (aqueous solution of sodium phosphate). It was demonstrated that the same procedure could be followed when replacing commercial CaCO3 with a material of biological origin, i.e. eggshell waste, resulting in a more extensive CaCO3 -to-Ap conversion. The formation of the desired crystalline phases was assessed by means of XRD analysis. The scaffolds were found to exhibit a porosity between 57 and 69%, considering both the voids in the reticulated structure and the micro-sized porosity of the struts, and an excellent compressive strength, in the order of 13–16 MPa.